Review:

July, 2008

Monday, July 28, 2008 -- Words From a Glass Bubble by Vanessa Gebbie

"Words from a Glass Bubble" by Vanessa Gebbie is a collection of nineteen of her short stories, compiled in a handsome hardback from Salt Publishing. There's no overarching narrative, but although the stories are very different, some themes and images crop up more than once.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 -- The Fireborn Chronicles by Mary Andrews

A "psionic sci fi" romp with tinges of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat and tinges of Babylon 5...

Monday, July 14, 2008 -- Last Dragon by J.M. McDermott

"Last Dragon", published as the first of the Wizard of the Coast Discoveries, is like no Fantasy novel I've ever read. It's non-linear, told as a series of letters? reminiscences? campfire tales? that flit about events and times yet slowly and inexorably bring the reader to the book's conclusion.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 -- Eternal Vigilance by Gabrielle Faust

When I know a book is going to be part of a series, it has to be pretty darn good for me to consider forking out for future instalments. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t work so well as a stand-alone novel, and that was disappointing.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 -- Bloodshot Monochrome by Patience Agbabi

It's a thin book. However, if you're about to become the romper room for someone else's narratives, neuroses and hang-ups, it's cheery that the book is at least thin. They won't be here long. Maybe you can cope.